Tottenham Hotspur say the same thing as Joe Rodon impresses for Wales against Italy at Euros 2020
Wales took on Italy in the penultimate Group A game of the UEFA Euros 2020 and Tottenham Hotspur defender Joe Rodon once again made the starting line-up alongside Gareth Bale. (h/t BBC)
Italians had already sealed qualification but there was a slim chance that the Welsh miss out if they lost and Switzerland won by a big margin against Turkey.
The game got off to a slow start but things started to come alive for the Italians close to half-time as Matteo Pessina scored in the 39th minute. The Italian midfielder got a faint touch from a low-drive set-piece to put his team in front.
The most controversial moment of the game came in the 55th minute when Chelsea’s Ethan Ampadu was sent off. The Welshman stamped Federico Bernardeschi but many believed that it was not a sending off.
From there on, the task was always going to be difficult for Wales. Their attacks continued but they were thwarted by a solid Welsh defence, which starred Joe Rodon as their third centre-back on the right-hand side.
Rodon helps Wales qualify
Rob Page’s men had the chance to even things out some 15 minutes from time, but Gareth Bale squandered a big chance. Nevertheless, the scoreline remained the same as Wales went through.
Switzerland managed a 3-1 win over Turkey but their 1-1 result with Wales in the group stages meant that the tie-break would come to goal difference- with both teams level at 4 points.
Wales had a +1 goal difference as compared to Switzerland’s -1, and they made it through to the last 16 as the second-placed team in their group.
But the star of the game was undoubtedly Joe Rodon. The former Swansea man was a rock in defence and earned the plaudits of all Spurs, as well as Welsh fans, who had tuned in to watch the game.
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Here are some of the best reactions as found on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/may03272/status/1406678037559611393?s=20
Rodon was starting games under Jose. You guys said, Dier or Toby should play because Jose was killing their confidence.
Ryan came in, and Rodon wasn't making the bench at all. No one said anything. And featured only once under Ryan.
The kind of hypocrisy here… is shocking.— Forgor (@ForgorJonathan) June 20, 2021
If tanganga can stay fit, you got the defensive core. No reason why Rodon should not be starting against City unless Wales make a deep run in the euros
— Kyle Caldarelli (@KAC443) June 20, 2021
Locked down starter for us next season, he should be. If he could do so well with barely any game time this season, imagine him coached well and having solid game time and experience under his belt.
— Zug Zug (@ZugzugGaming) June 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/RheaSolarin/status/1406789623892910084?s=20
Needs to be our starter
— King (@KingLew700) June 20, 2021
He really really is MAGIC
— (P) Ryan Worley (@RyanWorley86) June 20, 2021
